Audax rides

Good idea... :)

People who volunteered on LEL 2013 get priority entry. Which is nice as I did a couple of days at Loughton in 2013.

If you don't get a place on LEL 2017 (assuming it is running, no reason to think otherwise but I haven't seen much about it yet, [EDIT] Ah yes, it's in the works nicely, just didn't spot it) then volunteer your time and there should be a guarantee of a place in 2021.

They have a date for 2017 so I assume it's happening. Have registered for the newsletter thing, good to know volunteers get priority though!

Volunteers and people with fast fingers and a lot of computers... mwuahahahahaa!

Personally I hope they don't introduce any qualification for LEL. It's one of the nice things about the ride that you get people on it with very little Audax specific experience, but are in good enough shape and/or bloody minded enough to finish it.

The DNF rate for LEL is no different to that of PBP, so I'm not sure whether pre-qualification helps in any way (but that's kind of comparing apples to oranges anyway).

I'll see what happens when I mention LEL 2017 to Mrs GB. At least it's in the middle of the school holidays.

Anyone got any inspiring stories of completing long audaxes when not feeling 100%? Got Windsor-Chester-Windsor this weekend and having trouble getting rid of cough/cold that I developed 10 days ago. Doctor's opinion was that my chest wasn't too bad, but at the same time doing that sort of event isn't going to be great for your body.... It wasn't the firm 'no' I was fearing I suppose.
I reckon it's probably worth starting the ride and seeing how I'm feeling by early afternoon on the basis that I can always turn back at that point.
Not a great deal of other opportunities to do a 600 now & after my 400 I decided I probably am up for PBP so not keen to fail.

I reckon it's probably worth starting the ride and seeing how I'm feeling by early afternoon on the basis that I can always turn back at that point.

If the Doc hasn't said no then I'd do the above.

Most of my rides I tend to feel dreadful at the start, but that's usually a hangover.

It does sound about as well supported as any 600 could be - loads of controls + food so plenty of turnaround points if I do have to abandon it.
I wouldn't say the doctor was massively enthusiastic, but she certainly didn't totally say not to do it, so that's probably good.
I am prone to excessive worrying before these rides. Am avoiding looking at Sunday's weather forecast again for that reason.

I did my first and only 300k 3 days after breaking my big toe and my rib, sort of talked the doctor into admitting that I wasn't likely to do any further damage to them by cycling, so got some strong painkillers and went for it. Rode to the start and back as well so turned out about 350k in all I think. It's sort of a different thing though and although I was in a fair bit of pain I didn't feel "run down" like you might with a cold, and it's not nearly as far as a 600 so not a great help. Tried my best!

It's still encouraging I think.
I'm much better rested than I was before my 400, where I got so stressed I went into it on about 4 hours sleep.
It's helpful that the gps course for WCW breaks it down into 10 separate tracks, which means I'll hopefully only ever be thinking as to whether I can make it another 60k to the next control.

Not sure if it helps but I rode my first 200 with serious ITB issues. Knew it would flare up and hurt and the physio said "It'll hurt, but you'll be fine." I think I was one week into my physio at that point! Took 6 months to sort me out but the ride didn't really damage things.

Anyway, because I knew it would hurt I was OK. It just hurt and I was slow.

More here.

If it's just a head cold and you're not 'technically dying' then you'll be fine. It might prolong your symptoms a bit but that's better than not doing an epic ride isn't it?

#stillpbs100swithcoldafter600kaudaxesequalswinningsuchwinning

That is the best approach. Control to control. And probably get some more sleep in now. There is an awful lot of time on an audax I learnt last weekend on the BCM. My knee made it a 13.5h day two with 12.5h on the bike which was a bit of a constant pootle. A full value rider needs the strongest nerves.

Kind of can keep on a 600 but not with beers at epic AC Hackney drinks today.

...

how do you delete 'too-late replies to questions asked on previous pages'?

I joined ACH last year, still have not made drinks due to work. Beers was one of the main selling points!

I had a dream last night that I set off on an Audax ride in the middle of the night in the pissing rain and howling wind when everyone else was sheltering inside. Then everyone was well impressed I'd cycled so far. Woke up to realise my life is nowhere near as exciting as that. CSB.

Very vague plans to do the Mendip Transmitter with my girlfriend as my first ever audax. Anyone else planning that one?

Also with all this talk of PBP and LEL recently I broached the subject with my girlfriend and wasn't instantly shot down so looks like I have 2 years to get my Audax-fu down! CSB.

Plenty of beer was drunk last night - there was a surprise appearance by a couple of audax 'legends' as well. Well worth coming along if you can

A Pair of Kirtons is still open for entrants next weekend. Looks like the organiser is getting a few DNSs in as people complete other rides so could easily enter after this weekend if all doesn't go well.
I'm volunteering at the sleep stop so can wake you up with a DAS if that helps.

Did not manage to finish the beer you got me, next round on me, and lost my reading glasses. Very drunk, only 400 yards walk home was nice.

Thanks - due to family/geography it'd probably be pretty hard to fit in another one that soon.
The 2/3 coasts ones later in the month seem best bet if I fail WCW. Feel ok-ish today though, so am hopeful (providing I can keep not thinking about the weather).

Found this in my wallet instead of my bank card this morning >.<

1 Attachment

"This card predicts a trip back to Haggerston"

When's the next LEL?
Do you need to do stuff to qualify?

Edit just read up thread. 2017. What a wait.

If you can't wait do a Crackpot DIY at your leisure. Instant legend.

Next year 1200. http://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16-392/